Methane Quantification

This assessment reviews leading and emerging technologies that being deployed with sensors for methane measurement and monitoring. Experts have noted that there are at least 600,000 methane leaks in the U.S. today, and even this large number may represent an undercount. Nonetheless, with emerging technologies, the oil and gas industry has an opportunity to reimagine the future of natural gas in ways that promote transparency, trust, and transactability in differentiated gas markets. Transparency begins with a recognition that companies must go beyond leak detection and repair to quantification of methane emissions. Trust involves ensuring that regulators, investors, and other stakeholders have confidence in emissions data and can rely on such data to make policy and investment decisions. Transactability means that customers can buy and sell products based on emissions data, ultimately creating new markets for differentiated gas products.

We have an opportunity to ensure a strong future for natural gas with real emissions reductions, consumer trust, and new markets for differentiated products. This assessment addresses a critical piece of achieving this future.